Grapes Can Help Prevent Alzheimer's - Study

Eating some grapes regularly may help prevent dementia and boost memory, studies say.

Two portions of grapes may help suppress the cognitive disorder in people affected with dementia. If continuously consumed for a period of six months, it can have significant improvement in people's memory, reports say.

Experts have also pointed out that some nutrients found in the grapes can stimulate the chemicals that support the memory. The nutritious contents in the grapes also support to provide adequate blood flow to the brain. Insufficient blood circulation in the brain also leads to developing the risk of dementia, The Sun reports.

Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, selected 10 dementia patients and observed for six months by providing grape powder or 72g fruits each day.

Researchers examined and noted the cognitive skills before and after six months of treatment. They assessed the metabolic changes in the brain with the support of PET scans. The scan indicates positive metabolic changes in certain parts of affected areas of the brain when examined.

Regular intake of grapes can increase the levels of metabolic activity in the affected areas of the brain.

"The study examines the impact of grapes as a whole fruit versus isolated compounds and the results suggest that regular intake of grapes may provide a protective effect against early decline associated with Alzheimer's disease," Dr. Daniel Silverman, author of the study, stated, the Daily Mail reports.

The study has explained the role of grapes in the neurological and cardiovascular health. It also will be considered as a great achievement in medical research against Alzheimer's disease, Dr. Silverman says. More studies are needed to be conducted in larger groups, however, to get more details on this matter, lead author Dr. Silverman says. The research was funded by California Table Grape Commission.